Honorable Mention

The following players were all considered for the list, but just missed the top 10:

Tyrone Braxton, Defensive Back

Braxton spent all but one of his 13 NFL seasons in Denver and made 36 interceptions in that time—four of which he returned for touchdowns.

Barney Chavous, Defensive Lineman

Chavous played his entire 13-year career with the Broncos after being drafted in the second round out of South Carolina State. His 75 career sacks rank third on the team's all time list.

Rulon Jones, Defensive End

Another second-round draft pick that played his entire career with the Broncos. In nine seasons, Jones amassed 52.5 sacks but would have 73.5 for his career, since sack totals did become an official statistic until the 1982 season.

Al Wilson, Linebacker

Wilson was the leader of the Broncos defense for several years at middle linebacker. He had 580 tackles and 21.5 sacks in his career, but he also made the Pro Bowl five times.

Trevor Pryce, Defensive End

A former first-round pick, Trevor Pryce was a valuable member of the Broncos defense. He had 64 sacks in a Broncos uniform and made the Pro Bowl four consecutive times. He was also named to their 50th anniversary team.

8. Elvis Dumervil, Defensive End

Dumervil could go down as the best defensive player the Broncos have ever had, having already registered 52.5 sacks in just five seasons, including 17 during the 2009 season.

Dumervil is still just 28 years old and is a threat to get a sack ever time an opposing quarterback drops back to throw.

Dumervil's value to the team was made incredibly clear during the 2010 season, which he missed due to an injury sustained in training camp. That year, the Broncos were possibly the worst defense in the entire NFL, getting only 23 sacks as a team—a number Dumervil almost had by himself in 2009.

Simon Fletcher's team sack record will be broken by this man if he stays healthy. Not bad for a guy who was considered too small to play the position in the NFL.

7. Tom Jackson, Linebacker

A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images

Tom Jackson was taken in the fourth round out of Louisville in the 1973 NFL draft, and he quickly became a very integral part of the Broncos defense in the 70s and 80s.

His 20 career sacks and 13 career interceptions helped the Broncos achieve two AFC titles during his tenure, but it was his ability to inspire and motivate teammates that made Jackson the player that he was.

After being selected to three Pro Bowls and being named All-Pro four times, Jackson became the 14th player added to the team's Ring of Fame.

2. Randy Gradishar, Linebacker

A case could definitely be made for Gradishar to be No. 1 on this list.

The Broncos drafted him 14th overall in the 1973 NFL draft. That year, he actually finished sixth in the Heisman Trophy voting.

He would spend 10 seasons in Denver where he would personify the "Orange Crush" defense. In his career, Gradishar put up 20.5 quarterback sacks and had 20 interceptions. He is credited with having over 2,000 career tackles.

Among his accomplishments are seven Pro Bowl appearances and five All-Pro first-team selections. On top of that, he was voted the league's Defensive Player of the Year in 1978.

Gradishar left an indelible mark on the franchise, and many long time Broncos fans would still say he was the best defensive player they ever watched.

It's a real wonder why he's not in the NFL Hall of Fame. Hopefully, that call comes someday.